Seth and Emma met 21 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

"I know. I heard them talking. I really wanted to catch you." When Seth stood from fixing the screen, Keith said, "I overheard Calhoun tell you he was Emma's first love. Although they dated, he lied."

"I know." Seth chuckled. "I spoke with Emma. She said you were her first love and still the only man in her life."

"I have a feeling there's a man capturing my daughter's heart. I wish him luck."

"I'm sure Emma's heart is large enough for both men."

"I bet you're right." Keith held up a sack. "I brought lunch and needed to check on my daughter."

They went inside and ate lunch.


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 21 B


Late that afternoon Seth finished fixing the dog porch, putting the deadbolts in place, and then stared out the back patio window.

"Thank you, for everything." Emma stood beside him. "I like those big rocks between the shrubs. I think I'll put some dirt in the crevices and plant hen-and-chicks." She paused. "Is it all right if I paint the cement blocks?"

"You can paint them any color you want," he teased.

"Even polka dots?"

Seth shook his head. "If you want to take the time to paint polka dots, feel free. I won't stop you. I think succulents will look good in the rocks."

"Thank you." She checked her phone. "I wish Dr. Mason would call."

"He said he'd call after he closes. He doesn't close for another twenty-five minutes." After a pause, he asked. "Any thoughts on dinner?" He watched her search the cabinets and refrigerator. "I'll run to my place and get something."

Seth started out the door, just as Keith drove up. When Keith stepped from his car, he held up a bag. "I brought dinner."

Emma hurried to him. "Daddy, you didn't need to." When she opened the sack, she said, "It's the marinated salmon from today's special."

"You weren't there, so nobody knew exactly how to prepare it. It won't last until next Friday, so..."

"Should we grill or bake it," interrupted Seth.

Emma tilted her head. "I say grill, but I don't have a grill."

Seth started out the door. "I'll get mine."

Keith stayed until Seth returned. As Seth lit the charcoal, Dr. Mason called. Emma put her phone on speaker, so Seth could hear.

"Molly's holding steady," said Dr. Mason. "I'm still pushing antibiotics and pain reliever, but other than that she's on her own. Ace has been a huge help. If she continues to improve, I'd say by late tomorrow afternoon, you can bring her home."

Emma bounced. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Seth said, "You made this young lady very happy."

"I can hear." Chuckled Dr. Mason.

Putting her phone in her back pocket, Emma said, "Prayers were answered."

"They were."

*****
Dinner and dishes were finished, before Seth asked, "Feel like a walk around the pond?"

Emma studied the pond. "Are there fish in that pond?"

"Good question. I've never seen anybody fishing it. Have you?"

"No. I wonder what feeds water to it. That probably should be the next question. It may not be safe."

As they walked toward the pond, Seth's phone rang. "Sorry. I need to take this." He stepped away. When he hung up, he ran his fingers through his short hair, before he said, "The shoe imprints outside the dog porch matched the prints taken when your gas was siphoned."

"So, it's the same person. Why? Who?"

"I don't have the answers."

"Would you tell me if you did?"

"If I knew, I'd tell you what I could. If I had information, I couldn't disclose I'd say that. My best guess is it's the man you gave the description of. He's probably the same man from the hardware store. Calhoun wasn't in town when your gas was siphoned." Seth studied her for a few minutes. "Do you need time alone?"

"Let's walk."

They continued until the sun set, mostly in silence.

Inside Emma's house, she walked around as tears welled in her eyes.

Seth studied her before he asked, "What are you thinking?"

"It's so quiet without Molly. I'm not used to silence."

"She wasn't quiet that's for sure." When Emma stared at him, he added, "In a good way. She was perpetually happy."

Emma sat on the couch. "I'm used to her always being beside me." She checked the time. "You probably need to go home."

"I'm not leaving you like this."

"You can't stay here, and I won't stay at your place."

"There's a man who at a minimum is stalking you. I'm not leaving you alone. You don't even have your dog to warn you. You're vulnerable."

"I won't be able to sleep without Molly. I'll hear everything."

Seth thought for a few moments. "Would you go camping with me?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Why?"

"I'll be right back." Seth left.

Emma watched him jog to his house. When he returned, he carried something, but she couldn't tell what. When he got closer, she asked, "What's that?"

"A sleeping bag and a few things we might need. Want to sleep on the back patio? I'd suggest that over outdoors. There's mosquitos out there."

"You're crazy." When his eyebrows rose and he grinned, she added, "In a nice sort of way."

"I'm just doing what a friend would do. Inside or out?"

"The porch would still be hot. How about on the floor? At least there's air conditioning." She sighed. "Until I can't afford to pay my electric bill."

"I won't allow that to happen." When she started to protest, he said, "Let's hold that argument until it becomes a problem. Then we can fight about it."

"Okay." She watched Seth go toward the garage. "Where you going?"

"Getting my other sleeping bag." When she started to speak, he said, "Don't ask. You don't want to know."

"You slept here after my accident, didn't you?"

"I plead the fifth." Seth motioned around the area with his arms. "Where do you want to set up?"

"Seth?"

"Emma?" He ignored her glare. "Where do you want the sleeping bags?"

"You're stubborn and bossy." She stood beside the couch. "Maybe if we move this, we'll have room here."

"Good idea." He stood in front of the couch and shoved it back a few feet. "How far? We'll need room to walk around."

"I think that's good. Can we have s'mores before bed?"

He chuckled. "I brought the ingredients just in case."

"Thank you."

"How upset are you with me?"

"After a few s'mores, probably not at all."

"Good. Then I'd better get the grill started. It should still be hot so won't take long."

As they roasted the marshmallows and watched the moon and stars, Emma said, "I miss my guitar. I needed it today. It helps me destress."

"Any thoughts on getting a new one."

"I'll have to save for months before I can afford one."

"Did you say anything to Elliot about replacing it?"

"It's been almost a week, and I haven't heard anything about the car. I doubt I'll even see that."

"You have a ride to work as long as you need."

"Thank you." She glanced toward the living room. "I guess we're ready." She went inside and crawled into a sleeping bag.

Seth turned off the lights and crawled into his. "Is there any way I can turn off some of the night lights. Maybe leave on only a kitchen and a bathroom one?"

"I guess I won't need them with you here."

"Thank you." He got up and turned them off. "Is this, okay?"

"Yes." After a few minutes of silence, Emma said, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Time passed, before Emma reached for Seth's hand. He gave hers a squeeze.

During the night, their hands separated. Emma woke up. "Seth?"

"I'm right here." He took her hand and held it.


******
Character List:

Police Chief Seth Carter - hero and Beaverton's Police Chief

Emma Winters - heroine and waitress at her parents' bakery and bookstore, but just graduated college with a teaching degree.

Winters - the bakery/bookstore Emma's parents own.

Carl Jones - Seth's good friend and right-hand man

Susan and Keith Winters - Emma's parents and owners of Winters' Family Bakery and Bookstore

Molly - Emma's almost four-pound Pomeranian

Ace - Seth's German shepherd, a trained K-9

Pastor Pat - Pastor of the Church and Emma's Godfather

Jake Baker - Seth's mentor and Winters' family friend

Ray Hudson - Works at the bakery

Peggy Barton - Emma knew her in high school and is the assistant librarian, she's making a play for Seth

Linda Holton - the town librarian

Mayor Castle - mayor of Beaverton

George Elliot - city council member, from old money, and father of Marc Elliot

Marc Elliot - troubled teenager

Ronald Calhoun - dated Emma her senior year of high school